SHAH ALAM, 4 Oct: The Malaysian Bar Council is disappointed with the Federal Government for the passage into law of the amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Amendment and Expansion).
It’s President, Christopher Leong, said the reintroduction of the law for preventive detention without trial and the limitation of the court’s power passed by the House of Representatives had given a great blow to the country’s rules of law.
He said, the revised PCA is a sad thing for the country to step backward the matter of fundamental human rights.
“Criminal violence that happens should follow principle, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The PCA amendment would deny fundamental human rights guaranteed in the Federal Constitution,” said Christopher in a statement.
Prior to this, Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has no fixed stance and is weak under pressure to a point of having to agree with the new law.
He said, the government’s move to pass the PCA is evidently an arrogant act because it ignores principles of universal justice, and violates the Federal Constitution and human rights.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will continue to protest against the implementation of the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 (Amendments and Extension) despite being approved by the Umno-BN government.
PR will intensify providing information to the people regarding the PCA amendments by organising campaigns, forums and dialogues across the country after it is implemented.
The amendments to the Act allows for preventive detention without trial is open to abuse by the Umno-BN government as it happened with the Internal Security Act (ISA).
